Author news, author interviews, and book reviews

Good afternoon Everyone. It is great to see your smiling faces. Today author Jenny Frame, author of ‘A Royal Romance’ (#boldstrokebooks ) has stopped to chat. Come see why this story is receiving raving reviews and hear more about who Jenny Frame is.

“How do you spell ‘love’?” – Piglet

“You don’t spell it…you feel it.” – Pooh”

― A.A. Milne

Who is Jenny Frame? Tell us a bit about yourself and your background.

I’m from a small town in Scotland called Motherwell, which is just outside Glasgow. I live with my partner Lou, and our dog Barney.

I started writing about six years ago, when spinal problems forced me to medically retire from my job. I was looking for something to occupy my mind and my time, and I stumbled across some websites that hosted lesbian romance fiction. After reading everything I could, I thought I might give it go, and I’ve been writing every day since.

What is ‘A Royal Romance’ about?

‘A Royal Romance’ is at its heart a fairytale, but a modern fairytale. The handsome prince is a handsome butch, and the poor village girl is a working class woman from Bethnal Green, East London.

Most people are fascinated by royalty, and their sometimes strange and antiquated ways of doing things. I wanted to explore this royal world, and explore what it would be like to be the first lesbian Queen of the United Kingdom.

This is the blurb –

Georgina, Princess of Wales, has always known her destiny, but she never expected duty to call so soon. When her father dies suddenly, she is called back from her Royal Navy post to assume the crown. While the people acclaim their new Queen, Great Britain’s first openly gay monarch, all George feels is the isolation of her station. Beatrice Elliot’s staunch anti-monarchist views have always been a point of gentle contention with her working class, royalty-loving parents. When Bea—director of a hospice charity—must spend six months working with Queen Georgina, her charity’s new patron, sparks fly and passion blooms. But is love enough to bridge the gap between Bethnal Green and Buckingham Palace?

What was the deciding factor for your book title?

At this point I have to declare I am notoriously bad at choosing book titles, and full credit has to go to Radclyffe and my editor Ruth for the title. I think it’s a great title that gives you the pure romantic feel of the book.

What traits were you looking for when you were creating the main characters?

When I was creating Queen Georgina (George) I wanted a character who absolutely believes in the institution of a constitutional monarchy, and places her duty as the head of her family and the nation above all else. Everyone on the outside sees her as this thoroughly modern person, because she is the first openly gay monarch, and the first to ascend to the throne ahead of her brother, but in contrast to that view, she is in fact a very traditional person.

Her greatest wish is to meet someone who can see past her royal position, and understand the person she truly is.

From the start I knew I wanted to make George’s love interest a staunch anti-monarchist. After all, someone who doesn’t have the reverence for the position of Queen is the perfect person to see the woman and not her lofty position. Beatrice Elliot sees that woman behind the crown and George loves the fact that she talks to her like a normal person.

Who or what was your inspiration to write ‘A Royal Romance?’

In 2013 the British government changed the laws regarding the act of succession to the British throne. It meant that males would no longer take precedence over females in line to the throne. When I first saw a news item on this new law coming into force, I immediately began to think about whom the first woman would be, and then it occurred that she could be the first openly gay monarch as well. The character of George quickly came to my mind, and the story then followed.

Let’s give a shout-out to your home town, Motherwell. What is your favorite attraction there?

In Scotland we are surrounded by history. Castles, stately homes, even Roman remains.

In my small town of Motherwell, our local country park was the site of a roman fort, and the fort’s roman bathhouse is on display there. A few miles away there is the hunting lodge, called Chatelherault, which was built for the Dukes of Hamilton, our local lord of the manor, and the premier peer of Scotland. The large hunting lodge was small fry compared to their estate home, Hamilton Palace, which sat ten minutes away from where I live, and which was demolished in 1927 because of undermining. It was all very Downton Abbey in my local area.

Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

Thank you for your continued support. I’ve had some wonderful messages from readers and made some good friends from all over the world, but above all I’m very grateful to anyone who takes the time to read my books.

Who is your favorite football team? Can you tell a little bit about the sport and what you like about it?

Football (soccer) is the top sport in the UK, and in Scotland we are fanatical about it, despite our national team perpetually failing to reach the world cup finals. I support my local team Motherwell F.C, and I went to see them religiously from aged seven years old until my health made it impossible. Motherwell play in the top Scottish division but never win anything, In contrast my partner Lou’s team, Celtic F.C are the top team in Scotland and win EVERYTHING. So it’s safe to say that tempers are frayed in our house when Celtic play Motherwell.

What does this quote mean to you and why?

“Once in a while, right in the middle of an ordinary life, love gives us a fairy tale.”

When I first read that quote it really resonated with me. I’ve always loved fairytales, and the type of stories I write have elements of fairytales to a varying degree. As a romance writer, you have to believe in happy ever afters and I think deep down everyone needs hope that a fairytale could be around the corner.

On your website, you feature free stories. Can you tell us more about ‘The Dylan Morgan Show?’

‘The Dylan Morgan Show’ was the second story I posted online, and I wrote it in an episodic form to give it a TV show feel, with cliffhangers from season to season. When I first came up with Morgan show, it was the around the time when people were using You Tube and the new social media outlets to build a career, and it was also when the term celesbian first began to be used.

My main character, Dylan Morgan, is an Olympic gold winning athlete, and all action woman who gains notoriety and fame for her You Tube stunts. Her popularity eventually gets her onto TV and propels her to stardom.

The story starts when she is at the height of her fame, but with no family to speak of, she is starting to feel very lonely in the shallow world of show business.

One night after a show, she walks into a diner on Times Square and meets a waitress who changes her life. There are definitely fairytale elements about this story, and despite a few dark moments, it’s a light story with plenty of funny moments.

Me: Readers, please be respectful of Jenny’s copyrights and do not use without permission.

Tell us a bit about your blog and what you like about blogging.

I’m far from an active blogger, and generally use it for writing updates, and keeping readers updated on any new stories in the offing. My new year’s resolution is to become a more regular blogger.

What types of music do you like to listen to when you are writing? Or – do you prefer silence?

Music is a huge part of my life. I can’t play an instrument but I always have music playing, whatever I’m doing. My dad is a great guitar player and singer, and played in local bands. So I was given a great love of music and as a youngster I was always creating worlds or characters as I listened to it.

When I started writing, music quite naturally became part of the process. I have a different playlist for each book, which reflects the general theme of the book. On each list there’s one or two go to songs that say everything about the characters and what their relationship with each other is about.

For ‘A Royal Romance’ Only You by Sinead O’Connor, and for my forthcoming book ‘Heart of The Pack’, She wolf by David Guetta ft Sia.

The music I choose is a huge part of the planning stage for the book too. If I’m having a problem with the story and not sure where I’m going next,I get away from the manuscript, listen to music while I’m doing something else and the idea or solution always comes to mind.

Me: This is excellent advice that I’ve used.

What is your favorite part of being an author? The least fave?

My favourite part is creating worlds and getting to experience life vicariously through the characters I create.

The least favourite is a hard one, because I really do enjoy each part of the writing process, from research to editing, to getting feedback from readers. Probably I would say my least favourite is working to a deadline. I don’t handle stress that well, and I can be known to panic, even when there’s nothing really to panic about.

Me: One thing that authors love are interviews. Click below for hers with Bold Stroke Books. You don’t want to miss these.

Can you give us a sneak preview of your next book, ‘Heart of the Pack – A Wolfgang County Novel,’ which will debut in 2016 by Bold Stroke Books?

‘Heart of the Pack’ is a paranormal romance, and a little different to the world of A’ Royal Romance.’ Although I will be returning to the aristocracy theme in my third book, ‘Courting the Countess,’ which will be out late 2016.

I’ve always been fascinated by paranormal romance, and more specifically werewolves, over the vampire genre. The appeal of werewolves to me is the pack mentality, the unbreakable family and mate bond which I think would be what we wish for in our own lives.

The wolves of Wolfgang County are not so different from us. They are simply extraordinary creatures living in an ordinary world.

Blurb –

Selena Miller accepts a job in Wolfgang County, jumping at the chance to get away from her overbearing family. Crippled by anxiety, she’s determined to start a new, independent life.

As Second of the Wolfgang pack, Caden Wolfgang is used to having her orders followed without question. When the Alpha allows a human to work in the heart of their business, Caden is horrified. Haunted by a childhood tragedy at the hands of a human, Caden makes it her mission to keep Selena from threatening everything they’ve built.

When contempt turns into attraction and passion flares, can their love survive Selena learning the truth of what the Wolfgangs really are?

Beatrice Elliot ran downstairs as quickly as she could. She checked her appearance in the mirror at the bottom. Her long dark-blond hair looked unruly. I’m going to be so late, and I look a mess. She quickly gathered her hair up into a ponytail, making herself a bit more presentable.

From the living room, she heard her mum shout, “Bea?”

Beatrice popped her head round the door and said, “Yes, Mum?”

Her mother, Sarah, sat on the couch facing the large TV projection on the wall. “Are you coming to watch with me? It’s Princess Georgina’s investiture as Princess of Wales.”

Beatrice gave her mother a scowl. “Mum, you know I have absolutely no interest in that shower of spongers.”

Sarah pointed towards the TV and said, “But Bea, the pageantry, the tradition, and she’s going to be the first woman to become Queen ahead of her brother, and the first openly gay monarch. Surely you of all people should understand that.”

Bea sighed. She was getting fed up having this argument with people and hearing the name of Princess Georgina. “They take money away from our country’s essential services. You and Dad should know why that makes me angry.”

Her mother nodded, but not before Bea caught a look of pain on her mother’s face, and she felt guilty for causing that. She walked behind the couch and put her arms around her mother’s neck. “I’m sorry, Mum, but I have my student union meeting. Remember I told you about it last night? It’s our last meeting before the charity fundraiser.”

“Yes, another half hour or so. He hoped he would be back in time to see the ceremony. Off you go then, and leave me to my pageant.”

Bea laughed softly and gave her mother a kiss. “Enjoy it then. See you later, Mum.”

After Bea left and Sarah heard the front door close, she picked up her cup of tea and settled down to watch the TV special that the country had been buzzing about.

She watched the cameras span the grounds of Caernarfon Castle in Wales. The castle surrounded a triangular area of grass. In the middle of the grass sat a dais made of Welsh slate, on which the ceremony would take place, and around the three sides were the raised seating areas for spectators.

On the dais sat three thrones, while to the side sat the members of the extended royal family. The royal fanfare began and Sarah said to the TV, “Volume, up five.” The fanfare filled the room and she could almost feel like she was sitting there among the spectators.

“Reg is going to be mad he missed this.”

The voice-over began…

And we see the King and Queen emerge from the castle and make their way up, past the spectators, towards the dais. They are escorted by heralds, resplendent in their ancient dress, the first minister of Wales, and senior peers of the principality and are guarded by men and women of the Household Cavalry. The Welsh National Choir is providing the choral accompaniment to the occasion, and it sounds magnificent, I think you’ll all agree. What an atmosphere. The crowd is applauding King Edward and Queen Sofia as they walk past. There is a joyous feeling amongst the crowd, a feeling of celebration and hope for the future.

Sarah watched the tall, imposing-looking King, dressed in his ceremonial Royal Navy uniform, escort his elegant wife into her seat on the dais, and then take his own seat. To Sarah this was what Britain did best—tradition, ceremony, and pageantry—and she wished her daughter could see that. She understood her hostility. Beatrice believed the monarchy took money away from much-needed organizations such as the National Health Service, schools, and community groups.

The Elliot family knew first-hand what it was to be at the mercy of an underfunded health service.

She had always been a fan of the royals, and especially the very popular King Edward and Queen Sofia. King Edward was a few years older than herself, and so she grew up watching the friendly boy prince become a man and meet his true love, Sofia.

Sarah, along with the nation and two and a half billion people around the world, fell in love with the couple as they watched their fairy tale wedding. Now it was his firstborn daughter and heir’s turn to be invested as Princess of Wales and recognized as heir apparent to the throne.

I want to thank Jenny for stopping by. It was a pleasure having her. Don’t forget to check out Jenny’s links for more exciting news, including her upcoming book, ‘Heart of the Pack.’ Also click on the link below to get your copy of ‘A Royal Romance.’ Authors love reviews so please leave one when you are finished. Also feel free to leave a comment here. We’d love to hear how you liked ‘A Royal Romance.’

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Published by lynnlawler

Lynn Lawler‘s stories are greatly inspired by LGBTQ themes with deep felt emotion and rich characters. Each lives out their dynamic lives and find themselves in the rich imaginations of those who love to read and receive fulfillment within their own creative desires.
While in college, she wrote an editorial that was published in The Detroit Free Press. It focused on the positives of children’s education in the sciences. This she found to be very inspiring and felt that people needed awareness to encourage young people to study these subjects.
Lynn went on a journey to Arizona seeking a refreshed higher purpose. While there, she experienced things that were life-changing. By sharing nutritional information and benefits of going vegetarian, Lynn walked right into an opportunity where she created a new profit center for a co-op market by introducing a juice bar. In another venture, she applied her expertise in developing a marketing strategy for a professional outdoor sales - small business.
In addition to marketing, Lynn also was an architectural designer, consulting and contracting for many Los Angeles, CA-based architectural firms.
Her creative awakening began after low spot emotionally. She finally realized that her true, lifelong dream of being a writer could and would become her reality. Lynn watched a documentary on the life of the 20th century, writer Willa Cather. Willa Cather became her encouragement to move forward with her own aspirations.
The trials of Lynn’s life have only served as stepping stones to a brighter outlook and a stronger spirit.
Lynn has always been a fan of books. Her favorite authors are; Mary Higgins Clark, and J.K. Rowling and Judy Blume. In addition, she loves reading the works of other LGBTQ authors.
You can find Lynn Lawler’s blog at www.lynnlawler.wordpress.com. Here you will read interviews of artists, authors, and others. In addition, you can read all of Lynn Lawler’s book reviews for a relevant, insightful, point of view.
In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, meditation, playing chess and Tomb Raider, and watching baseball.
Lynn lives in SoCal with her wife and cats. She is currently at work on her next two novels.
Feel free to follow her on FB and Twitter (@lynnlawler1).
View all posts by lynnlawler

Lynn Lawler

Lynn Lawler‘s stories are greatly inspired by LGBTQ themes with deep felt emotion and rich characters. Each lives out their dynamic lives and find themselves in the rich imaginations of those who love to read and receive fulfillment within their own creative desires.
While in college, she wrote an editorial that was published in The Detroit Free Press. It focused on the positives of children’s education in the sciences. This she found to be very inspiring and felt that people needed awareness to encourage young people to study these subjects.
Lynn went on a journey to Arizona seeking a refreshed higher purpose. While there, she experienced things that were life-changing. By sharing nutritional information and benefits of going vegetarian, Lynn walked right into an opportunity where she created a new profit center for a co-op market by introducing a juice bar. In another venture, she applied her expertise in developing a marketing strategy for a professional outdoor sales - small business.
In addition to marketing, Lynn also was an architectural designer, consulting and contracting for many Los Angeles, CA-based architectural firms.
Her creative awakening began after low spot emotionally. She finally realized that her true, lifelong dream of being a writer could and would become her reality. Lynn watched a documentary on the life of the 20th century, writer Willa Cather. Willa Cather became her encouragement to move forward with her own aspirations.
The trials of Lynn’s life have only served as stepping stones to a brighter outlook and a stronger spirit.
Lynn has always been a fan of books. Her favorite authors are; Mary Higgins Clark, and J.K. Rowling and Judy Blume. In addition, she loves reading the works of other LGBTQ authors.
You can find Lynn Lawler’s blog at www.lynnlawler.wordpress.com. Here you will read interviews of artists, authors, and others. In addition, you can read all of Lynn Lawler’s book reviews for a relevant, insightful, point of view.
In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, meditation, playing chess and Tomb Raider, and watching baseball.
Lynn lives in SoCal with her wife and cats. She is currently at work on her next two novels.
Feel free to follow her on FB and Twitter (@lynnlawler1).